What do you think?
- Thread starter rare
- Start date
schnutzzy
Member
When picking out new lighting you have to figure out what you want to do with the tank. Fish only or corals? If you want to have a coral reef then you have to think ahead and kinda figure out what corals you want to raise and maintain. PC lighting is ok for fish only and some easy corals, but if you eventually want to have SPS or Clams, basically anything you want, then you are going to want to go to T5 with individual reflectors or Metal Halide lighting. IMO from my own experience I really didn't think ahead and have spent mega bucks upgrading my lighting. 3 times for a total of about 1200 bucks. So try to pick them out the first time and be done with it. I have MH lighting and love it.. Good luck!!!
reefforbrains
Active Member
Originally Posted by schnutzzy
http:///forum/post/2625142
When picking out new lighting you have to figure out what you want to do with the tank. Fish only or corals? If you want to have a coral reef then you have to think ahead and kinda figure out what corals you want to raise and maintain. PC lighting is ok for fish only and some easy corals, but if you eventually want to have SPS or Clams, basically anything you want, then you are going to want to go to T5 with individual reflectors or Metal Halide lighting. IMO from my own experience I really didn't think ahead and have spent mega bucks upgrading my lighting. 3 times for a total of about 1200 bucks. So try to pick them out the first time and be done with it. I have MH lighting and love it.. Good luck!!!
Nicely said. Sticker shock for those entering the hobby all too often leads to buying double and triple equipment.
http:///forum/post/2625142
When picking out new lighting you have to figure out what you want to do with the tank. Fish only or corals? If you want to have a coral reef then you have to think ahead and kinda figure out what corals you want to raise and maintain. PC lighting is ok for fish only and some easy corals, but if you eventually want to have SPS or Clams, basically anything you want, then you are going to want to go to T5 with individual reflectors or Metal Halide lighting. IMO from my own experience I really didn't think ahead and have spent mega bucks upgrading my lighting. 3 times for a total of about 1200 bucks. So try to pick them out the first time and be done with it. I have MH lighting and love it.. Good luck!!!
Nicely said. Sticker shock for those entering the hobby all too often leads to buying double and triple equipment.
jmrents
Member
This hobby, and for me it's a passion, is expensive!
Remember, be patient with your tank. Take all the time you need to upgrade to metal halides.
Let your tank mature, read lots and lots, figure out which fish/corals and inverts you really like, think about if you would ever upgrade to a larger system?
I waited a full year before upgrading to metal halides and wanting that reef tank with lots of corals and inverts.
By then, I knew alot more about the corals, the care they needed and what
I will need to do to keep them alive, as well as the rest of the system and all that lives within it.
When I did upgrade, I did my homework and found a light that fit my budget, yea right, and would provide me with ample light to house the corals and anemones I wanted.
I have found that more people within this community, have had problems and we all have problems, I mean the biggest problems, when they rush into setting up really expensive systems before they mature or know enough about how to house and care for their systems.
IMO, metal halides are the best for corals and inverts, the deeper your tank, the higher the wattage you should get, unless you really want to go with SPS, then go with no less than 250 watt MH with the 14k/20k bulbs.
Just my two cents worth, hope it helps, lots of luck with the tank.
Remember, be patient with your tank. Take all the time you need to upgrade to metal halides.
Let your tank mature, read lots and lots, figure out which fish/corals and inverts you really like, think about if you would ever upgrade to a larger system?
I waited a full year before upgrading to metal halides and wanting that reef tank with lots of corals and inverts.
By then, I knew alot more about the corals, the care they needed and what
I will need to do to keep them alive, as well as the rest of the system and all that lives within it.
When I did upgrade, I did my homework and found a light that fit my budget, yea right, and would provide me with ample light to house the corals and anemones I wanted.
I have found that more people within this community, have had problems and we all have problems, I mean the biggest problems, when they rush into setting up really expensive systems before they mature or know enough about how to house and care for their systems.
IMO, metal halides are the best for corals and inverts, the deeper your tank, the higher the wattage you should get, unless you really want to go with SPS, then go with no less than 250 watt MH with the 14k/20k bulbs.
Just my two cents worth, hope it helps, lots of luck with the tank.
rare
New Member
My tank is 4 years old and is 80 gal. No I wouldn't be thinking of upgrading in tank size because I do not see myself moving anytime soon. Plus if I were to get a bigger tank it would be fish only tank.
So even for an 80 gal it would be ok for the t5? Is there a different name for the t5? Is there a certain wattage i need for an 80 gal tank? I am doing homework too. But I have questions.
So even for an 80 gal it would be ok for the t5? Is there a different name for the t5? Is there a certain wattage i need for an 80 gal tank? I am doing homework too. But I have questions.